Preventing Persistent Infections of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus in Beef Cow Herds

The following CES publication has been revised and is now available online in PDF format. Guide B-225, "Preventing Persistent Infections of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus in Beef Cow Herds,” revised by John Wenzel http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_b/B225.pdf

Tomatoe Plants late Season Problem

Press Release Eddy County Cooperative Extension Service 1304 West Stevens Carlsbad, NM 88220 For More Information, Contact: Woods Houghton, Eddy County Agriculture Agent Eddy County Cooperative Extension Service Phone: 575-887-6595 Fax: 575-887-3795 whoughto@nmsu.edu FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE What’s Killing My Tomatoes? The popularity of homegrown tomatoes is probably only exceeded by the pests and other problems that plague tomato plants. Insects and diseases, stress from insufficient water, nutrient imbalances and heat can all affect plant growth. Curly top virus is a common problem from late June to August. There is no cure for the disease, which is spread by an insect called the beet leafhopper. Curly top stunts plant growth. It turns leaves yellow-green and leathery and makes them curl upward. Veins in the leaves often turn purple. Infected plants usually feel warm to the touch compared with healthy plants. Pull up and discard all infected plants. Verticillium and fusarium wilt are other common diseases. They are soil-borne fungal diseases that cause older plant leaves to turn yellow and die. When the stem of the plant is cut near the soil line, the tissue just below the bark will look tan to dark brown in color. Pull up wilted plants and discard them in the trash. Stunted yellow plants can also be a sign of nematodes, particularly in sandy soils. Nematodes, microscopic worms that live in the soil, feed on roots and eventually cause plants to wilt. To help avoid these problems plant resistant or tolerant tomatoes varieties in Eddy County. Look for the letters “V” “F” and “N” with the variety name an example is Early Girl VFN. Remember resistance is directly related to the challenge and in some cases there is more of the bad guys then the plant can resist. If you have had problems in a particular part of your garden you can solar sanitize it by put clear plastic over that part of the garden and let the sun cook it. Tomato hornworm is often the biggest tomato pest but the hardest to see. The five-inch, green worm is relatively plump and blends well with foliage. It has white diagonal stripes and a horn on its posterior. Look for worms near shredded foliage just above the black droppings they leave on the soil. Round holes found in fruit are generally caused by tomato fruit worms. They’re also known as corn earworms because they chew around the tips of sweet corn or boll worm because they chew into cotton bolls. Striped worms can be brown, green or yellow. They are relatively small, growing up to two inches long. They can also be found chewing on foliage. August weather can cause several problems for tomatoes. Fruit often cracks because dry, hot weather alternates with rainfall. Lack of water can also cause blossom-end rot, especially if soil is low in usable calcium. A water-soaked spot appears on the bottom of fruit, eventually turning brown to black with a leathery texture. Our soil has lots of calcium but it is not all usable to the plants. Application of gypsum, bone meal, or sulfur helps. Intense sun and poor foliage cover can cause sunscald on tomato fruit. Fruit shoulders will blister, forming a gray, paper-like spot. Training vines to a cage will create more shade for fruit and keep it off the ground, resulting in less fruit rot. Hot weather, particularly at night, can also result in poor fruit set. Excessive nitrogen in fertilizer can cause the same problem. Tomatoes require fertilizer with a good balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. I get lots of call this time of year with people asking why no fruit but lost of lush green vines. I always ask if they are using Miracle Grow TM. and the answer is almost always yes. Miracle grow is a good fertilizer but is low in phosphorus for our soil. Starting in the spring apply a good phosphorus fertilizer as well, 0-46-0, 0-35-0, 11-54-0. The middle number in on the product is phosphorous. Miracle makes a product call Miracle Grow for western soils TM. which is better suited for our soils then the regular product. It is difficult to find however. Subscribe to Eddy County Ag news at: http://nmsueddyag.blogspot.com/ Eddy County Extension Service, New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. All programs are available to everyone regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. New Mexico State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Eddy County Government Cooperating.

HOME ECONOMIC AGENT STARTS IN EDDY COUNTY

HOME ECONOMIC AGENT STARTS IN EDDY COUNTY New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service office in Eddy County has a new home economist, whom as a native of Carlsbad, is eager to get people of all ages excited about various programs that Extension has to offer. Jennah McKinley joins a staff of three who provide Extension services to the county through 4-H youth programs, nutrition education programs and agriculture expertise. Her main focus for adults in the county will include diabetes awareness, nutrition and life skills. McKinley explained that the population of Eddy County is approximately 54,000 with 12.8% of the population below poverty (2012 U.S. Bureau of the Census). The two largest age groups of the population below poverty level are the youth groups ages <5 (38.3%) and 5-17 (28.1%). The largest ethnic groups are Hispanic (44.7%) and White (51.5%). The largest family type is the husband-wife householder with children < 18 (50.3%). Low income levels often indicate low educational achievements. The situation in Eddy County is such that 32% of all persons 25 years of age and older have obtained less than a high school level of education. 7.4% have attained less than a ninth grade level of education. These low income and low educational groups can improve their health through basic nutrition, food safety, food preparation, and food resource management education. Eddy County youth have the potential to be influenced by negative indicators such as crime, poverty, teen birth rate, and single parent families. Basic life skills are imperative in the development of knowledgeable and productive citizens for the future of Eddy County. Home economics subject matter projects include consumerism, nutrition, personal development and creative arts providing stepping stones in the development process. She says that she is really excited to get started on developing various workshops to educate the community on various topics that our community has needed for a long time. Workshops will be advertised in the local newspaper; however the Eddy County Extension also has a new Facebook page that will display upcoming events and workshops. Besides coordinating nutrition and family consumer science programs in the county, she will work with 4-H agent Allison Leimer to develop youth programs. "I really enjoy working with kids," McKinley said. "It's an honor to watch them develop life skills as they grow into young adults.” McKinley has three years of experience working as a teacher in the Carlsbad Municipal School District. She says that “the home economist position will enable her to extend her expertise to people of all ages in the community”. She said her goals for Eddy County programs include developing the 4-H home economics program by teaching nutrition, cooking and other life skills workshops and having youth participate in various home economics contests. She said she would like to have the 4-H youth work with adults in the Carlsbad and Artesia homemakers clubs in hopes of increasing membership in those groups. McKinley earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education and a Master’s of Arts in Education Degree from NMSU in 2011 and 2015. While in college, she served as President for New Mexico State University’s Association of Family and Consumer Sciences for three terms, as well as Vice President for the New Mexico Association of Family and Consumer Sciences for one term. She has acquired several distinguishing awards including New Mexico Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Student of the Year and New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences Outstanding Student Award for the Class of 2011. She encourages the community to come visit with her at 1304 W. Stevens in Carlsbad.Subscribe to Eddy County Ag news at: http://nmsueddyag.blogspot.com/ Eddy County Extension Service, New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. All programs are available to everyone regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. New Mexico State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Eddy County Government Cooperating.

NMSU, NRCS hosts field day at Los Lunas agricultural science center

NMSU, NRCS hosts field day at Los Lunas agricultural science center DATE: 08/10/2015 WRITER: Jane Moorman, 505-249-0527, jmoorman@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Mark Marsalis, 505-865-7340, marsalis@nmsu.edu LOS LUNAS – Middle Rio Grande farmers and community members will have an opportunity to learn about the research being conducted at New Mexico State University’s Agricultural Science Center at Los Lunas during the farm’s field day Wednesday, Aug. 12. The purpose of the NMSU College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences experimental station is to address various crop and horticultural issues in the area, as well as conduct research to determine if alternative crops and other plants can grow in the region. Los Lunas ASC is among 12 agricultural science centers around the state. Also located at the farm is the Natural Resource Conservation Service Plant Materials Center that serves New Mexico and other Southwestern states by testing diverse ecotypes of plant species for adaption to various conditions and suitability for conservation efforts and commercial production. “We have a wide range of research programs here to serve the area’s broad clientele base that ranges from the horticultural needs of individual homeowners to small- and medium-sized farming operations in the Middle Rio Grande Valley,” said Mark Marsalis, NMSU Extension forage specialist and superintendent of the Los Lunas facility. “The field day will have something of interest to everyone, and is a great opportunity to have a glimpse into the research efforts of both NMSU and the NRCS,” he said. “The station is really quite unique with respect to the diversity of projects being conducted. We have everything from vegetables, fruit trees and berries, pecans, and ornamental plantings, to forage crops and range grasses.” New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte and NRCS’s State Conservationist Xavier Montoya will begin the day’s activities with welcome addresses at 8:15 a.m. Wagon and walking tours and demonstrations will start at 9 a.m. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. The event concludes with a catered lunch and door prizes provided by area sponsors at noon. Presentations on the field tours will cover a variety of interests and include mechanical chile harvest and papa criolla potato research, by Stephanie Walker, NMSU Extension vegetable specialist; weed control in chiles, by Brian Schutte, NMSU weed physiologist; jujubes as an alternative fruit crop for New Mexico, by Shengrui Yao, NMSU Extension fruit specialist; and alfalfa and guar forage research, by Marsalis. NRCS has research being conducted at the Los Lunas PMC located at the experimental farm. Presentations on its research will include soil solarization through poly sheeting, by Bernadette Cooney, manager of the PMC; cover crops, by Danny Goodson, NRCS agronomist; innovative grass seed harvesting, by Keith White, bio-technician, and a riparian restoration presentation and pollinator plant walking tour, by David Dreesen, NRCS agronomist. NRCS will also conduct a rainfall simulation demonstration that shows the benefits of maintaining ground cover in an effort to improve overall soil health. Other demonstrations and educational booths will include an insect display, organic programs, and milkweed for monarch butterfly recovery. A variety of organizations will have booths, including New Mexico Cow Belles, Native Plant Society, Sierra Irrigation and the Valencia County Soil and Water Conservation District. The event is free and open to the public. The research farm is located on 1036 Miller St. SW, one mile west from the turnoff at Miller Road and NM 314. For more information, contact the Agricultural Science Center at 505-865-7340. - 30 - Follow NMSU News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nmsunews Follow NMSU News on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NMSUNews

NMSU hosts second annual Rio Chama Equine Expo on Aug. 29

NMSU hosts second annual Rio Chama Equine Expo on Aug. 29 DATE: 08/10/2015 WRITER: Jane Moorman, 505-249-0527, jmoorman@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Donald Martinez, 505-685-4523, donmart@nmsu.edu ABIQUIU – All things horse will be the order of the day at the second annual Rio Chama Equine Expo, Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Rio Arriba Rural Events Center in Abiquiu. New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service in Rio Arriba County is hosting the day’s event, which begins at 9 a.m. “The expo is a great way for people to network and learn better horsemanship skills,” said Donald Martinez, NMSU Rio Arriba County agricultural agent. “Last year we had 50 people participate; this year we are expecting it to double. There’s not a whole lot of these expos around anymore, so a lot of people who board horses in Santa Fe and Taos are coming to join us.” Nutrition and care of the animal will be two tracks of education workshops during the morning. During the first session, Marcy Ward, NMSU Extension livestock specialist, will discuss nutrition, while Jason Turner, NMSU Extension equine specialist, will talk about creating an equine first aid kit. During the second morning session, Mark Marsalis, NMSU Extension forage specialist, will talk about hay selection, while Clint Mortenson will discuss bit selection. Following lunch, where participants will eat and trade during the Tack Swap, Willie Creamer will demonstrate basic horsemanship and problem-solving techniques in the rodeo arena and Erlene Seybold Smythe will conducted a Morgan Horse presentation. During the day, there will be live demonstrations on hoof trimming by farrier Kardy Martinez, worming the horse by Turner, and packing by Eldon Reyear. Vendors will also be present exhibiting their products. The day will conclude with a kids’ dummy-roping contest. “We’re expecting a group of kids from the Dulce rodeo club to attend the expo,” said Martinez. “The roping contest will give the kids something to do and brag about.” For more information about the expo, contact the Rio Arriba County Extension office at 505-685-4523.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeking Information on Impact of Canada Geese on Agricultural Operations

ACTION 1) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeking Information on Impact of Canada Geese on Agricultural Operations ACTION: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeking Information on Impact of Canada Geese on Agricultural Operations ISSUE: Earlier this year, the AFBF Issue Advisory Committee on Pests and Invasive Species identified resident Canada geese as a particular problem for agricultural producers. In looking into this issue, AFBF has had several discussions with staff at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS). FWS is currently proposing to establish annual hunting regulations for certain migratory game birds for the 2016-17 hunting season and has asked AFBF to provide any relevant statistics or data on damage caused to crops or farms by Canada geese. BACKGROUND: Canada geese are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and their numbers have increased substantially in recent years. Many geese are no longer migratory, staying in one location year round. These increasing populations can cause significant damage to crops and threaten agricultural production. Under existing law, a permit must be obtained from FWS before undertaking any steps to eradicate or control problem geese. ACTION: AFBF is looking for state Farm Bureaus to forward to us any data or reports of damage that document loss of crops due to Canadian geese. We will share this information with FWS in an effort to facilitate efforts to deal with the problems of Canada geese. Contact: Paul Schlegel, 202-406-3687, pauls@fb.org; Arielle Brown, 202-406-3663, arielleb@fb.org Top of Document

USDA Invests $63 Million to Support 264 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects Nationwide

Release No. 0226.15 Contact: Office of Communication (202) 720-4623 USDA Invests $63 Million to Support 264 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects Nationwide Funding supports solar and other renewable energy projects to create jobs and promote energy independence WASHINGTON, August 7, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $63 million in loans and grants for 264 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects nationwide that USDA is supporting through its Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). "This funding will have far-reaching economic and environmental impacts nationwide, particularly in rural communities," Vilsack said. "Investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects supports home-grown energy sources, creates jobs, reduces greenhouse gas pollution and helps usher in a more secure energy future for the nation." These REAP projects are expected to generate and/or save 207.8 million kilowatt hours (KWh) of energy – enough to power more than 13,600 homes for a year. For example, Bradley Phillips, owner of A.B. Phillips & Sons Fruit Farm, is receiving an $18,000 grant to install a photovoltaic solar system on his farm in the village of Berlin Heights, Ohio. The system will generate nearly 13,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. Phillips grows apples, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries, cherries and grapes on a farm that has been in his family for more than a century. Blue Sky Poultry, Inc., of Bainbridge, Ga., has been selected for a $16,094 grant to install a solar array on the roof of the poultry houses. The array is expected to generate 36,300 kWh of electricity per year. Stokes Farms, LLP, of Chatfield, Minn., is receiving a $19,750 grant to install a 10 kW wind turbine. When operational, the project is expected to generate 30,000 kWh of electricity per year. Lakeview Biodiesel, LLC will use a $3.3 million loan guarantee to help acquire a Missouri biodiesel plant and make improvements to bring it online to produce enough biodiesel to run approximately 16,500 vehicles annually. In North Carolina, South Winston Farm, LLC is receiving a $4 million loan guarantee to finance a 7 megawatt solar array system that is expected to generate enough energy to power 994 households per year. Funding for the projects announced today is contingent upon the recipients meeting the terms of the grant or loan agreement. Here are two examples of how REAP has helped rural businesses: • In 2014, Mt. Abram, a ski area in western Maine, finished installing an 803-panel solar photovoltaic system that was financed with a $235,000 REAP grant. Mt. Abram is the first solar-powered ski area in the state and the second-largest solar-powered ski area in the country. The solar array will generate 280,000 kWh in energy each year and meet about 70 percent of the resort's power needs. • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Progress Solar in North Carolina in September 2014 to highlight a $3.4 million REAP loan guarantee the company received to install a solar array. Today, the 46-acre farm produces enough solar energy to power 540 average-sized homes each year. Eligible agricultural producers and rural small businesses may use REAP funds to make energy efficiency improvements or install renewable energy systems, including solar, wind, renewable biomass (including anaerobic digesters), small hydroelectric, ocean energy, hydrogen, and geothermal. The next application deadline for REAP grants is November 2, 2015. USDA will issue a notice of available funding with more details on how to apply in the coming weeks. REAP was created by the 2008 Farm Bill and was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. Since the start of the Obama Administration, USDA has supported more than 9,600 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects nationwide through REAP. During this period, the Department has provided more than $291 million in grants and $327 million in loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small business owners. President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities. #